Careers with STEM: Primary arrives in classrooms across Australia

A brand new magazine has arrived in every primary school across Australia this week.

Led by Future You and produced by Careers with STEM, in collaboration with partners from across the sector, the magazine is packed full of role-models to introduce young learners to the inspiring world of science, technology, engineering and maths careers.

Research shows that children begin forming ideas about subjects and careers early in primary school. Careers with STEM: Primary is designed to reach students in Years 3–6 with inspiring stories of real people doing unexpected and exciting work in STEM. By introducing STEM careers early, the magazine aims to nurture curiosity, confidence and a sense of possibility during the formative years of learning.

Reflecting on the importance of the magazine, Professor Lisa Harvey-Smith, Future You Ambassador, said:

Research shows that access to diverse role models can play a powerful role in shaping how children understand who belongs in STEM. If we’re serious about engaging more young people from underrepresented backgrounds, we need to work with families to shift societal attitudes outside the classroom as well as within it. We’re proud to partner with Careers with STEM to bring a freely available digital version of Careers with STEM: Primary to schools and homes across Australia - helping to move us towards the equity that we want to see in STEM. 

Karen Taylor-Brown, CEO and Founder of Careers with STEM, says early exposure to career possibilities can play a powerful role in shaping young people’s aspirations:

“Primary school is when children are naturally curious about how the world works. By showing them the exciting careers connected to STEM, we can help them see that their interests today could become the jobs of tomorrow” 

Jasmine Fellows, Careers with STEM’s Managing Editor, adeed that stereotypes about who does and doesn’t belong in STEM are appearing in our classrooms as early as Year 1:

“By the time a girl is six years old, the world has often already started telling her that science isn’t for her. Careers with STEM: Primary is designed to help challenge those messages early

Teachers should keep an eye out for print copies of the magazine arriving in their schools. One print copy will be delivered free to every primary school across Australia, with a digital version freely available online to ensure the content can be accessed by all.